Glossary

Glossary

• Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)

  Established in 2006, the LHINs are accountable for local health system planning and community engagement within specific geographic areas.  They are responsible for funding a wide range of health service providers, in addition to managing service agreements with health organizations, including:

  • Home Care Services - providing people with information about care options locally. LHINs work together, and with physicians, hospital teams and other health care providers to enhance access and co-ordination for people who need care in their own homes in the community, in supportive housing, or in a Long-Term Care Home.

    LHIN staff provide information and coordinate professional, personal support and homemaking services for people living in their own homes, and for school children with special needs. LHINs also determine eligibility and make arrangements for admission to some day programs, supportive housing/assisted living programs, and to certain chronic care and rehabilitation beds, and to all long-term care facilities.

  • Hospitals
  • Community Support Services
  • Community Health Centres
  • Long-Term Care
  • Mental Health and Addictions Services

  There are 14 LHINs in Ontario.

   

• Community Support Providers

  Community Support providers generally are not-for-profit organizations who receive funding from the government and are comprised of paid and volunteer staff. Services include adult day programs; Alzheimer/dementia overnight care; friendly visiting; intergenerational programs, social and recreation; and transportation. Some community support providers also employ nurses and personal support workers and have contracts with CCACs.

• Durable Medical Equipment and Supply Organizations

  Durable medical equipment and supply organizations provide home care patients with products ranging from respirators, wheelchairs, and walkers, to catheter and wound care supplies. These organizations employ staff who deliver and, when necessary, install these products as well as instruct patients on their proper in-home use. Durable medical equipment and supply organizations usually do not provide physical care for patients, but there are a few exceptions. Some organizations offer pharmacy and infusion services, where a nurse administers medication and nutritional formulas to patients and teaches them the proper techniques for self-administration. Some organizations  also provide respiratory therapy services to help individuals use breathing equipment. Each organization is liable for its personnel and the services provided to patients.

   

• Independent Providers

  Independent providers are nurses, therapists, homemakers, personal support workers and companions who are privately employed by individuals who need such services. In this arrangement, the responsibility for recruiting, hiring, and supervising the provider rests with the client. Finding back-up care in the event that the provider fails to report to work or fulfill job requirements is the client's responsibility. Clients also pay the provider directly and must comply with all applicable provincial and federal labour, health, and safety requirements. 

• Institutional and Private-duty Providers

  Staffing and private-duty providers generally are nursing providers that provide individuals with nursing, homemaker, personal support worker, and companion services. Some staffing and private-duty providers assign nurses to assess their clients' needs to ensure that personnel are properly assigned and provide ongoing supervision. These agencies recruit their own personnel. Again, responsibility for patient care rests with each provider.

• Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care (MOHLTC)

  The MOHLTC is responsible for Ontario’s health care system including: health insurance, drug benefits, assistive devices, care for the mentally ill, community services, home care, community health, health promotion and disease prevention, hospitals and long-term care (LTC) homes.

  The MOHLTC provides stewardship of Ontario's health system through legislation and regulations, policy, including funding policy, standards of care, and guidelines, as well as ensuring compliance with these requirements. The MOHLTC also provides support for provincial program development and implementation.

  
  

• Pharmaceutical and Infusion Therapy Companies

  Pharmaceutical and infusion therapy companies specialize in the delivery of drugs, equipment, and professional services for individuals receiving intravenous or nutritional therapies through specially placed tubes. These companies employ pharmacists who prepare solutions and arrange for delivery to patients. Nurses also are hired to teach self-administration in patients' homes. Each company assumes responsibility for personnel and the services rendered.

  
  

• Registries

  Registries serve as employment providers for home care nurses and homemakers by matching these providers with clients and collecting finder's fees. Clients select and supervise the work of a registry-referred provider. They also pay the provider directly and must comply with all applicable provincial and federal labour, health, and safety laws and regulations, including payroll tax and other withholding requirements.

  
  

• Service Provider Organizations (SPOs)

  SPOs deliver services to the client directly and/or operate a building where care is provided. These organizations are usually incorporated entities, and can be one of the following: a non-profit organization, a private corporation, a municipal government or an aboriginal organization.

  Home care services are usually provided by service provider organizations but may also be obtained from registries and independent providers. Home care organizations include home health providers; community support providers; staffing and private-duty providers; and companies specializing in medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and drug infusion therapy.

  Home care services generally are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Depending on the client's needs, these services may be provided by an individual or a team of staff working on a part-time, intermittent, hourly, or shift basis